The Australian opener insisted that he couldn't comment on the incident, though he did observe, “We believe we have a very strong case. It's a scenario none of us want to be in, we love the game and we hope we can move forward.”
Then, speaking of Andrew Symonds against whom Ricky Ponting alleged Harbhajan had directed his racial comment, Hayden went on, “He's a very strong character who had a great, tough upbringing. We all love him and Australia loves him.”
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly said the Harbhajan episode hadn't distracted the team. “Not from my side because l wasn't aware of it till the morning,” the Kolkatan said. “I don't think many in the team were aware of what exactly happened. They saw a bit of discussion going on in the ground, which has happened many a times in cricket before.”
Harbhajan flowered as a bowler under Ganguly's captaincy. “He is a competitive guy,” Ganguly noted. “All men can't be same, we'll react differently to different situations. We as human beings will have to accept it. He has great mental strength, has got a lot of quality in him. Quality players will always produce their best under pressure.”
Talk eventually veered to the day's play, and Hayden said he believed Australia had the edge now. “We've given ourselves the best chance of winning,” he said. “We lead by around 220, we will increase the lead to about 260 before declaring.”
Victory on the morrow will help Australia tie their own record of 16 straight Test wins. Would that be a factor in the declaration? “We would desperately like to win another Test, regardless of whether the record is on the line of not. We don't ask for records. We just go about our business day in and day out, and achieve what we achieve,” he replied.
Hayden's 29th hundred meant apart from equalling Bradman, he had only Ricky Ponting (33) and Steve Waugh (32) among Australians to rein in. “The Don was an incredible personality in the game, and he didn't play anywhere near as much as we do,” Hayden pointed out. “But it was significant when I passed his runs and when I passed his highest score. I very humbly accept these privileges and know how privileged I am to touch Bradman.”
Ganguly shot down suggestions that, with Australia 213 ahead and six wickets in hand, the Indians were on the back foot. “Not really. They are 200 ahead and tomorrow is the last day, so I don't think so,” the left-hander countered. “It is still a good wicket. There's a bit of turn but it's not dangerous.”